OK, so the ‘correct’ terminology is monochrome!
With some forethought we can now create monochrome photographs from colour, which can really serve to enhance a mood or feeling. On a recent visit to Stourhead (good for autumn photography) in Wiltshire I noticed, tucked away in the house gardens, a lovely old red brick potting shed.
Spotting a pile of old fashioned style watering cans through a window I beamed in on the target and shot. When I arrived back home I tried giving it a monochrome treatment. For my part I prefer it – it seems to add a nostalgic feel to a scene that would hardly have changed since B&W was the standard film approach.
To do this to best effect, I suggest:
1. look for a subject that is a bit timeless.
2. keep it simple – I used just the old wall and the window frame/watering cans.
3. experiment – try the options that your software offers you. The shot below is an ‘infra red’ conversion, vignetted on the corners.
Monochrome won’t work with lots of photos – but try it and see – would love to hear how you get on and any other thoughts on this. Monochrome (with and without darkroom) seems to be coming back into vogue.
Shed window Stourhead RAW and untouched
Shed window Stourhead in monochrome and vignetted
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